Weft sensing means



Aug. 25, 1964 K. METzLl-:R

wEFT sENsING MEANS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March l, 1961 man!! fUfff/Leer Mv Y ug. 25, 1964 K. Mr-:TzLER wEFT sENsING MEANS 4Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 1, 1961 Aug. 25, 1964 K. METZLER 3,145,739

` wEFT SENSING MEANSv Filed March 1, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Aug. 25, 1964K. METZLER 3,145,739

WEFT SENSING MEANS Filed March l, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 United StatesPatent O 3,145,739 WEFT SENSING MEANS Kurt Metzler, Duwockskamp 15,Hamburg- Bergedorf, Germany Filed Mar. 1, 1961, Ser. No. 92,601 Claimspriority, application Germany Mar. 9, 1960 7 Claims. (Cl. 139-370) Thewell-known needle loom stop motion devices are only suitable for weavinglooms on which single one-ply fabrics are woven. Devices of this kindcannot be used for the manufacture of multiple-ply fabrics (particularlyof fabrics with a great many plies) as it is not possible to make theweft-feeler needles to pass surely the single warp-thread groups (plies)at each movement of the lay; as is necessary for the sensing of theinserted weft thread. Further, when weaving multiple-ply fabrics, thefeeler needles would be submitted to such a heavy strain that they wouldnot have a long span of life.

The present invention which concerns an instantaneously acting loom stopmotion control arrangement for weaving looms, is particularly suitablefor the manufacture of multiple-ply fabrics, especially of fabrics witha great many plies.

A feature of the invention is that a terminal switch, which is actuatedby a cam on the crank shaft, prepares at each forward movement of thelay, the circuit of the stop motion. If a correct insertion of the weftthread is made, the prepared circuit of the loom becomes ineffective bythe opening of a switch controlled by the weft thread to be inserted.This terminal switch is operated by the inserted weft thread by means ofa feeler needle. The instantaneous stopping of the loom only takes placewhen the weft thread breaks or runs out and when in this case also theterminal switch on the entrance side of the Warp shed is closed or notopened at all.

For this purpose, the weft stop motion is fitted with feeler needles,placed horizontally and parallel with the selvedges, movable in the weftdirection for operating the terminal switches. To increase thesensibility of these terminal switches, they are fitted with anadditional spring adjustable in its power and counter acting thestandard springs provided in the terminal switches. In an example, thefeeler needles of the loom stop motion are operable between a sensingposition and a position in which the needles are withdrawn from the weftloop. The latter is done, when the lay cap engages control rollers, bythe diiferences between the forces of two counteracting adjustablesprings, or by means of a sliding member mounted on the lay cap andoperative during the forward movement of the lay. In this manner, thefeeler means is withdrawn from the path of movement of the lay or of thereed, respectively. At the succeeding backward movement of the lay, thebefore mentioned weft stop motion returns to the sensing position.

A further feature of the invention is that the moment for withdrawing.the weft-stopping motion with its feeler needles from the path of thelay or the reed, and the moment for bringing it back to the feelingposition, can be precisely adjusted i.e. by the variation of theeiiective length of a rod, by the variation of the position of one ormore springs, or by a rod of suitable shape operated by a sliding guideon the lay cap.

Finally provisions are made tto adjust exactly in every direction thefeeling position of the weft stop motion or feeling needlesrespectively, and to adjust .the position of rest of the weft stopmotion or the feeler needles respectively.

The invention will be best understood with reference to the accompanyingdrawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 1-1 in FIG. 7 andillustrating a weft sensing device according 3,145,739 Patented Aug. 25,1964 to one embodiment -of the invention in its inactive position;

FIG. 2 is a cross section corresponding to FIG. l and illustrating thedevice in a sensing position;

FIG. 3 is a side view, partially in cross section and illustratinganother embodiment of the weft sensing device in an inactive position;

FIG. 4 is a side view, partially in section, illustrating the device ofFIG. 3 in a sensing position;

FIG. 5 is a side view, partially in cross section, illustrating afurther embodiment of the weft sensing device in an inactive position;

FIG. 6 is a side view, partially in cross section, illustrating theembodiment of FIG. 5 in a sensing position;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary elevation, partially in section taken on line7-7 in FIG. 1 illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 1 as viewed in thedirection of the arrow A in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary elevation illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 3viewed in the direction of the arrow B in FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary elevation illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 5as viewed in the direction of the arrow C in FIG. 5; and

FIG. l0 is a circuit diagram showing the electric circuit of the weftsensing device according to the invention.

In the FIGS. 1-6, 1 denotes the warp threads coming from the Warp beamor from a creel (not shown), and 2 the woven fabric, held under tensionby the temples 3. The slay or lay 4, which at each cycle moves forwardand backward, has a guideway S over which at each cycle a shuttle 99(FIG. l0) is picked through the shed 6, formed by the warp threads l-seeFIGS. 2, 4, and -whereupon a weft thread inserted by the shuttle, isbeaten up at the forward movement of the lay 4 by means of the reed 7against the fell of the cloth 2-see FIGS. 1, 3, and 5--. The reed 7 isfixed at its bottom part in the lay 4; at its top part, it is held bythe lay cap 8. Referring to the first embodiment, shown in FIGS. 1, 2and 7, on the breast beam 9 with the breastbeam plate 10 is fitted aprismatic guide 11 on which slides a slide member 12 which is adjustablein the weft direction and which can be locked by means of the screws13-see FIG. 7-. The slide member 12-see FIGS. 1 and 2-has a guide wayslidably supporting another slide member 14 movable in warp direction.Slide member 12 carries the pressure spring 17 whose spring power isadjustable by means of adjusting screw 15 with counter nut 16. The otherend of the pressure spring 17 is carried by abutment 18, on the slidemember 14. Slide member 12 has an arm 19 which serves to carry temple 3,by means of the vertical arm 20.

Further, a bracket 22 of a switch box 23 is pivotally mounted on slidemember 14 on a pivot 21, and there is also a pressure spring 24 biassingswitch box 23 to turn about pivot 21 in a direction toward the reed. Inthe front wall and in the back wall of the switch box 23 are ballbearings 25 for a horizontal shaft 26 which supports the feeler needle27 and extends parallel to the selvedges and warps. Within the switchbox 23, the shaft 26 carries the lever 28 acting on the terminal switch29, and a further lever 30 on whose extremity the draw spring or tensionspring 31 acts, see FIG. 7. Spring 31 counteracts the spring force ofthe standard contact spring within the terminal switch 29. The force ofspring 31 can be adjusted by an adjusting screw 32 locked by two nuts33. Fitted to the top of the switch box 23, by means of the two screws34, is the control rod 35 which, at its front end, carries a controlroller 36.

The embodiment illustrated FIGS. 1, 2 and 7 is operated as follows:

When the slay moves to the left as viewed in FIG. 1, control roller 36remains first in contact with the top beam 8 of the slay 4 due to theaction of spring 17, with member 14 and housing 23 sliding along guideway 12. During further movement of slay 4, roller means 36 is still incontact with member 8, but now under the action of spring 24 so that theswitch housing 23 turns about pivot shaft 21 so that the feeler needlemeans 27 assumes its sensing position, as shown in FIG. 2. During theremaining portion of the rearward stroke of the slay, member 8 releasesroller means 36, so that all parts assume a sensing position.

During the following forward stroke of the slay, member 8 engages rollermeans 36 so that rst housing 23 will turn about shaft 21 compressingspring 24 and pulling feeler needle means 27 out of the weft threadloop, whereupon member 14 is urged rearward to move along slide 12 sothat the feeler needle means, and all other parts of the device, aremoved out of the region in which the beating of the weft thread by thereed 7 into the fell takes place.

The exact moment in which the feeler needle means 27 is pulled out ofthe weft thread loop, can be adjusted by displacing shifting rod member35, which is accomplished by the screws 34 passing through slots in theshifting member 35. The effective force of compression spring 17 can beadjusted by the adjusting screw 15. Control switch 29, which iscontrolled by the feeler needle means, and opens when the feeler needlemeans 27 is turned by a weft loop together with shaft 26 and lever 30,can be very accurately adjusted by the adjusting screw 32 by which thetension of a tension spring 31 is regulated, the tension spring 31counteracting the spring of control switch 29. The adjustable force ofspring 31 is directed to the left as viewed in FIG. 7 and is smallerthan the force of the contact spring which acts to the right.Consequently, the resulting adjusted force which has to be overcome bythe feeler needle, is smaller than the force of the contact.

spring.

The parts 11-36 are provided on the loom at each side thereof and foreach selvedge. Referring to the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 3, 4and 8, on the breast beam 37 is fixed, by means of the screws 38, abracket 39 which carries a at rod 40, adjustably xed by bolts 42 passingthrough slots 41. At the points 43 and 44, the flat rod 40 carries thepivoted links pivotally connected at the points 47 and 48 to a flat rod49, at whose rear end is tted, by means of the pivot screw 50, theneedle holder 51 which carries the feeler needle 52, allowing itsangular adjustment.

The flat rod 40 carries the adjustable stop 53, and the link 45 carriesthe lever arm 54. At point 55 of the lever arm 54, acts a draw spring 56whose opposite end is secured by the flat rod 40. The necessary tensileforce of the draw spring 56 can be adjusted by attaching the same todifferent points 57 of the flat rod 40. On the other side, at the point55 of the lever arm 54 the power of the draw spring 62 acts through aneye 58, tted to the rod 60 by means of the nut 59. One end of spring 62abuts a double nut 61; the other end of the draw spring 62 abuts a slide63 sliding on the rod 60. The slide 63 is pivoted in a fork 64 which isxed to the lay cap 8 by means of the U-shaped strap 65.

The terminal switch 66-see FIG. 8-is fixed to the flat rod 49 to whichis also pivoted the needle holder 51 with the feeler needle 52. The topend of the needle holder 51 and the terminal switch 66 are connected bya small draw spring 67 whose force can be adjusted by means of the screw68 and which acts upon the terminal switch 66. The stop position of theneedle holder can be exactly adjusted by means of a further screw 69.Two counter nuts 70 and 71 serve to lock the screws 68 and 69.

The parts 36-71 are also twice on the loom, placed at the selvedges onopposite sides of the loom.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 8 operates in the followingmanner:

During the rearward movement of the slay 4 to the left as viewed in FIG.3, the slide means 63 will slide along shifting rod 60, and duringfurther movement of slay 4 in this direction, spring 62 is compressed.When the force of the compression spring 62 acting at the point 55exceeds the power of the tension spring 56, which acts on point 55 inthe opposite direction, pivots 47 and 48 on rod 49 are moved in circularpaths due to the parallel A motion of links 45 and 46 about pivots 43and 44 on rod 49. Since the feeler needle means is secured to rod 49 bythe holder 51, it moves along a circular path to the sensing positionshown in FIG. 4.

During the forward reciprocating stroke of the slay 4, these operationstake place in the reverse sequence. The nut means 61 permit an exactadjustment of the moment in which the feeler needle means 51, 52 movesout of the path of movement of the reed 7 or slay 4. In this manner, thespring forces of springs 56 and 62 can be adjusted so that the desiredcooperation of the springs is obtained. The position of rod 40 can beadjusted by displacing the same along bolts 42 which is possible due toslots 41. The position of `the needle holder 51 is adjusted by swingingabout pivot 50. In this manner, the feeler needle 52 can be placed in adesired position relative to warp and weft threads.

Referring to the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 9, on thebreast beam 72 is tted, by means of the bolts 73, the bracket 74 whichcarries the temple arm 81, held by screw 75. The temple arm 81 carriesthe two temples 3, and its arm 81a has a bore in which bolt 84 isturnable.

The bolt has at one end the collar 84u which carries the bent controlrod 8S. The axial position of the bolts 84 in the hole of the downwardsextending arm 81a of the temple arm 81 is xed by the ring 86. The freeend of the bent control rod 85, swivelling with bolt 84, is guided inslide 88, which is turnable in the fork 89. The fork 89 is tted to thelay cap 8 by means of the strap 90. The bent control rod 8 carries aconnecting piece 91 whose position can be adjusted by means of the twoadjusting screws 92 with locking nuts 93. The connecting piece 91further carries the movable bearing rod 94 (see also FIG. 9) whoseposition can be fixed by means of the adjusting screw 95 and counter nut96.

To the bent end 94a of the bearing rod 94 are fitted the terminal switch66, the needle holder 51 with feeler needle 52 and the parts 67-71,designed and arranged as shown in FIG. 8.

The weft-control motion parts 51, 52, 66-71, and 74-96 shown in FIGS. 5and 6, are arranged twice on the loom, at both the selvedges.

The embodiment of FIGS. 5, 6 and 9 is operated as follows. During theforward movement of the slay 4, the slide 88 is displaced along theshifting rod by the motion of slay 4, 8. As best seen in FIG. 5,shifting rod 85 turns clockwise about pivot bolt 84 during displacementof slide 88 of shifting rod 85 whereby the feeler needle means 51 and 52connected with shifting rod 85 by parts 91 to 96, are operated. Firstfeeler needle means 52 is pulled out of the weft thread loop, and thenthe entire device is moved out of the path of oscillation of slay 4 withreed 7.

By suitably shaping shifting rod 85, the exact moment in which thefeeler needle means is pulled out of the loop of the weft thread can bedetermined. The particular shape of the shifting rod 85, will alsoinfluence the speed of .the movement of the feeler needle means betweenthe sensing position shown in FIG. 6 and the retracted position shown inFIG. 5.

During the rearward movement of the slay 4, the same operations takeplace in reversed sequence, until the feeler needle means 51 and 52 areagain in the sensing position. The exact sensing position of the feelerneedles 52 can be adjusted by displacing the same in the holder 51.Further adjustment is possible by operation of the adjusting screw 92 bywhich the position of the member 91 on shifting rod 85 is adjusted.Further adjustments may be obtained by screw 50.

The electric circuit of all three embodiments shown in the FIGS. 1-9,can be seen on the wiring diagram of FIG. which shows the position ofboth shuttle boxes 97 and 98 in relation to the shuttle guide way 5which the shuttle 99 1s just crossing from the right to the left,whereby the weft thread 100, delivered by the weft package contained 1nthe shuttle, is pulled out. At both selvedges, a feeler needle 27 and 27or 52 and 52 respectively is arranged Which actuates a correspondingterminal control switch 29 and 29 or 66 and 66 resp. Both controlswitches 29 and 29 or 66 and 66 resp. shown diagrammatically in FIG. l0,are in an operative position, when closed, since they are in serialconnection with a further circuit-preparing switch 101, which iscontrolled and actuated by the cam 102 to move between an open positionand an operative closed position. Cam 102 is fixed on the crank shaft ofthe loom. The circuit further includes a manual switch 104, the coil ofan electromagnetic operating means 105, and the fuse 106. Since cam 102and the slay are driven from the loom shaft, they operate insynchronism. Cam 102 constitutes an actuating means forcircuit-preparing switch 101.

The operation of all three embodiments of the invention will be bestunderstood with reference to FIG. 10 which shows the electric circuit ofthe apparatus. A cam 102 rotates in synchromism with the loomoperations, and is adjusted in such a manner that a circuit-presettingswitch 101 is closed by cam 102 during the passage of the shuttle 99with a weft thread 100 through a Warp shed. Control switches, forexample, the control switches 29, 29 of the embodiment of FIG. 1, or thecontrol switches 66, 66 of the embodiment of FIG. 3 are located onopposite sides of the warp threads in the region of the warp selvedgethreads. The control switches are normally closed, but when a weft isinserted, it loops about the feeler needle means 27, 27', or 52, 52 andturns the feeler needle means to an actuating position in which therespective control switch 29 or 29 is opened. Control switches 29, 29are connected in series, and also connected in series with thecam-operated switch 101 and with the electric operating means 106.Consequently, electromagnetic operating means 106 will only be energizedwhen all three switches are closed, and in this event, electromagneticmeans 105 will operate a weft stop motion by which the operation isinstantaneously stopped. When a weit is properly picked, theelectromagnetic means 105 will be without current, since the weft thread100, looped about feeler needle means 27', for instance, will openswitch 29 and interupt the circuit. When the shuttle 99 arrives at theother side of the shed, ,l the feeler needle means 27 is moved to aretracted position, and turns to its normal position in which switch 29is closed. However, at this moment, switch 101 has been interrupted byoperation of cam 102. The same operation takes place when the weftthread is looped about feeler needle means 27 on the under side of thewarps. As explained above, while the shuttle does not cross the warpshed, and at the time While the weft thread 100 is not yet pulled out ofthe shuttle 99, circuitpreparing switch 101 is permitted to open by cam102.

The manually operated switch 104 is always closed during operation ofthe loom, and is opened only when the aparatus does not operate.

When a weft breaks, or if the supply of the weft thread i is exhausted,no weft thread can be looped about a feeler needle means 27, 27', andconsequently all switches are closed when a pick is due, wherebyelectromagnetic means 105 is energized, and the loom is stopped.

The devices herein described and outlined by the enclosed figures areonly examples of preferred embodiments of the present invention. As amatter of fact, the described parts and arrangements can be variedwithout departing from the invention. For instance, it Will be possibleto actuate weft-control devices as shown in the FIGS. 3-6 and 8 and 9,by means of control means arranged below the lay 4; the loom could bestopped f.i. by means of a three phase alternomagnet in which case theelectromagnet shown in FIG. 10, could be considered as relay coil of athree-phase current relay.

I claim:

l. Weft stop motion control apparatus for a loom having a reciprocatingslay, comprising, in combination, actuating means moving in synchronismwith the slay; a circuit-preparing switch operated by said actuatingmeans to assume an operative position during the passage of a shuttlethrough a warp shed; control switch means including a spring and havingan operative position, said control switch means being connected withsaid circuitpreparing switch; electric operating means operable forinstantaneously actuating a loom stop motion and being connected withsaid circuit-preparing switch and said control switch means to beactuated when said circuitpreparing switch and said control switch meansassume the operative positions thereof; feeler means movable between asensing position close to the selvedge Warp threads and a retractedposition, and also movable in said sensing position in the directionbetween a normal position and an actuating position, and being connectedto said control switch means to move the same out of said operativeposition when moving to said actuated position; adjustable spring meansacting on feeler means for varying and adjusting the force required bysaid feeler means to move said control switch means out of saidoperative position against the action of said spring; and shifting meansconnected to said feeler means and being operated in timed relation withsaid slay and actuating means to hold said eeler means in said sensingposition only during the passage of the shuttle with a weft threadthrough a warp shed so that the weft thread engages said feeler means insaid sensing position and moves the same to said actuated position sothat said electric operating means is not operated whereas said loomstop motion is actuated by said operating means if said feeler means isnot engaged by a weft thread.

2. Weft stop motion control apparatus for a loom having a reciprocatingslay, comprising, in combination, actuating means moving in synchronismwith the slay; a circuit-preparing switch operated by said actuatingmeans to assume an operative position during the passage of a shuttlethrough a warp shed; control switch means including a spring and havingan operative position, said control switch means being connected withsaid circuit-preparing switch; electric operating means operable forinstantaneously actuating a loom stop motion and being connected withsaid circuit-preparing switch and said control switch means to beactuated when said circuit-preparing switch and said control switchmeans assume the operative positions thereof; feeler means movablebetween a sensing position close to the selvedge warp threads and aretracted position, and also movable in said sensing position in aweftwise direction between a normal position and an actuating position,and being connected to said control switch means to move the same out ofsaid operative position when moving to said actuated position; andshifting means connected to said feeler means and being operated intimed relation with said slay and actuating means to hold said feelermeans in said sensing position only during the passage of the shuttlewith a weft thread through a warp shed so that the weft thread engagessaid feeler means in said sensing position and moves the same to saidactuated position so that said electric operating means is not operated,whereas said loom stop motion is actuated by said operating means ifsaid feeler means is not engaged by a weft thread, said shifting meansincluding rst and second counteracting springs, and means for adjustingsaid springs for timing the motion of said feeler means with thereciprocating motion of the slay.

3. Weft stop motion control apparatus for a loom having a reciprocatingslay, comprising, in combination,

actuating means moving in synchronism with the slay; a circuit-preparingswitch operated by said actuating means to close during the passage of ashuttle through a warp shed; control switch means connected in serieswith said circuit-preparing switch; electric operating means operablefor instantaneously actuating a loom stop motion and being connected inseries with said circuitpreparing switch and said control switch meansto be actuated when said circuit-preparing switch and said controlswitch means are closed; feeler means movable between a sensing positionclose to the selvedge warp threads and a retracted position, `and alsomovable in said sensing position in a weftwise direction between anormal position and an actuating position, and being connected to saidcontrol switch means to open the same when moving to said actuatedposition; adjustable spring means counteracting feeler means forvariably reducing the force required by said feeler means to move saidcontrol switch means to said operative position; and shifting meansconnected to said feeler means and being operated by said slay to holdsaid feeler means in sa1d sensing position only during the passage ofthe shuttle with a weft thread through a warp shed so that the weftthread engages said feeler means in said sensing position and moves thesame to said actuated position so that said electric operating means isnot operated, whereas said loom stop motion is actuated by saidoperating means if said feeler means is not engaged by a weft thread,said shifting means including first and second counteracting springs,and means for adjusting the position of said springs for timing themotion of said feeler means with the reciprocating motion of said slay.

4. Weft stop motion control apparatus for a loom having a reciprocatingslay, comprising, in combination, actuating means moving in synchronismwith the slay; a circuit-preparing switch operated by said actuatingmeans to close only during the passage of a shuttle through a warp shed;control switch means including two control switches connected in serieswith said circuitpreparing switch and with each other; electricoperating means for instantaneously actuating a weft stop motion whenenergized to stop the loom, and being connected in series with saidcircuit-preparing switch and with said control switches; two feelerneedle means located on opposite sides of the warp threads and movablebetween a sensing position to the selvedge warp threads and a retractedposition, and also turnable in said sensing position about a horizontalaxis extending transverse to the weft direction to move in weftwisedirection between a normal position and an actuated position, and beingconnected to said control switch means, respectively, to open the sameonly in said actuated position; adjustable spring means opposingmovement of said feeler needle means to said actuated position; shiftingmeans connected to said feeler needle means and being operated by theslay to hold said feeler needle means in said sensing position onlyduring the passage of a shuttle with a weft thread through a warp shedso that the weft thread is looped about said feeler needle means in saidsensing position and moves the same to said actuated position wherebysaid electric operating means is de-energized, while release of saidfeeler needle means by the weft thread causes actuating of the weft stopmotion by said operating means, said shifting means including a memberhaving roller means engaged by the slay so as to move said feeler needlemeans out of the loop of the weft thread; supporting means; a housingpivotally mounted on said supporting means and supporting said member ofsaid shifting means, said feeler needle means, and said control switchmeans; spring means for urging said housing to a position in which saidfeeler needle means are in said sensing position and counteracting themovement of said housing after said roller means has been engaged by theslay and said feeler needle means have moved to said retracted positiontogether with said housing by the action of the slay acting on saidroller means and on said member.

5. Weft stop motion control apparatus for a loom having a reciprocatingslay, comprising, in combination, actuating means moving in synchronismwith the slay; a circuit-preparing switch operated by said actuatingmeans to close only during the passage of a shuttle through a warp shed;control switch means including two control switches connected in serieswith said circuit-preparing switch and with each other, each controlswitch including a spring; electric operating means for instantaneouslyactuating a weft stop motion when energized to stop the loom, and beingconnected in series with said circuitpreparing switch and with saidcontrol switches; two feeler needle means located on opposite sides ofthe warp threads and movable between a sensing position close to theselvedge warp threads and a retracted position, and also turnable insaid sensing position about a horizontal axis extending transverse tothe weft direction to move in weftwise direction between a normalposition and an actuated position, and being connected to said controlswitch means, respectively, to open the same only in said actuatedposition against the action of said springs; adjustable spring means forurging said feeler needle means to said normal position to partlycounteract the spring force of said springs of said control switches;shifting means connected to said feeler needle means and being operatedby the slay to hold said feeler needle means in said sensing positiononly during the passage of a shuttle with a weft thread through a warpshed so that the weft thread is looped about said feeler needle means insaid sensing position and moves the same to said actuated positionwhereby said electric operating means is de-energized, while release ofsaid feeler needle means by the weft thread causes actuation of the weftstop motion by said operating means.

6. Weft stop motion control apparatus for a loom having a reciprocatingslay, comprising, in combination, actuating means moving in synchronismwith the slay; a circuit-preparing switch operated by said actuatingmeans to close only during the passage of a shuttle through a warp shed;control switch means including two controly switches connected in serieswith said circuit-preparing switch and with each other; electricoperating means for instantaneously actuating a weft stop motion whenenergized to stop the loom, and being connected in series with saidcircuit-preparing switch and with said control switches; two feelerneedle means located on opposite sides of the warp threads and movablebetween a sensing position close to the selvedge warp threads and aretracted position, and also turnable in said sensing position about ahorizontal axis extending transverse to the weft direction to move inweftwise direction between a normal position and an actuated position,and being connected to said control switch means, respectively, to openthe same only in said actuated position; adjustable spring meansopposing movement of said feeler needle means to said actuated position;shifting means connected to said feeler needle means and being operatedby the slay to hold said feeler needle means in said sensing positiononly during the passage of a shuttle with a weft thread through a warpshed so that the weft thread is looped about said feeler needle means insaid sensing position and moves the same to said actuated positionwhereby said electric operating means is de-energized, while release ofsaid feeler needle means by the weft thread causes actuation of the weftstop motion by said operating means, said shifting means including firstand second spring means opposing each other, and being operated by theslay in such a manner that said feeler needle means are shifted to andfrom a position forward of the fell of the fabric and substantiallyadjacent the fell.

7. Weft stop motion control apparatus for a loom having a reciprocatingslay, comprising, in combination, actuating means moving in synchronismwith the slay; a

circuit-preparing switch operated by said actuating means to close onlyduring the passage of a shuttle through a warp shed; control switchmeans including two control switches connected in series with saidcircuit-preparing switch and with each other; electric operating meansfor instantaneously actuating a weft stop` motion when ener gized tostop the loom, and being connected in series with said circuit-preparingswitch and with said control switches; two feeler needle means locatedon opposite sides of the warp threads and movable between a sensingposition close to the selvedge warp threads and a retracted position,and also turnable in said sensing position about a horizontal axisextending transverse to the weft direction to move in weftwise directionbetween a normal position and in actuated position, and being connectedto said control switch means, respectively, to open the same only insaid actuated position; adjustable spring means opposing movement ofsaid feeler needle means to said actuated position; shifting meansconnected to said feeler needle means and being operated by the slay tohold said feeler needle means in said sensing posi- 10 tion only duringthe passage of a shuttle with a weft thread through a warp shed so thatthe weft thread is looped about said feeler needle means in said sensingposition and moves the same to said actuated position whereby saidelectric operating means is de-energized, while release of said feelerneedle means by the weft thread causes actuation of the weft stop motionby said operating means, said shifting means including a pivotallymounted rod, a slide member turnably mounted on the slay and sliding onsaid rod, and adjustable means connecting said feeler needle means withsaid rod so that said feeler needle means smoothly move between saidsensing and retracted positions.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,638,942 Hindle May 19, 1953 2,882,932 Purdy Apr. 21, 1959 2,930,411Calhoun et al Mar. 29, 1960 2,977,996 Ancent et al Apr. 4, 19613,049,152 Batty et al Aug. 4, 1962

1. WEFT STOP MOTION CONTROL APPARTUS FOR A LOOM HAVING A RECIPROCATINGSLAY, COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, ACTUATING MEANS MOVING IN SYNCHRONISMWITH THE SLAY; A CIRCUIT-PREPARING SWITCH OPERATED BY SAID ACTUATINGMEANS TO ASSUME AN OPERATIVE POSITION DURING THE PASSAGE OF A SHUTTLETHROUGH A WARP SHED; CONTROL SWITCH MEANS INCLUDING A SPRING AND HAVINGAN OPERATIVE POSITION, SAID CONTROL SWITCH MEANS BEING CONNECTED WITHSAID CIRCUITPREPARING SWITCH; ELECTRIC OPERATING MEANS OPERABLE FORINSTANTANEOUSLY ACTUATING A LOOM STOP MOTION AND BEING CONNECTED WITHSAID CIRCUIT-PREPARING SWITCH AND SAID CONTROL SWITCH MEANS TO BEACTUATED WHEN SAID CIRCUITPREPARING SWITCH AND SAID CONTROL SWITCH MEANSASSUME THE OPERATIVE POSITIONS THEREOF; FEELER MEANS MOVABLE BETWEEN ASENSING POSITION CLOSE TO THE SELVEDGE WARP THREADS AND A RETRACTEDPOSITION, AND ALSO MOVABLE IN SAID SENSING POSITION INT HE DIRECTIONBETWEEN A NORMAL POSITION AND AN ACTUATING POSITION, AND BEING CONNECTEDTO SAID CONTROL SWITCH MEANS TO MOVE THE SAME OUT OF SAID OPERATIVEPOSITION WHEN MOVING TO SAID ACTUATED POSITION; ADJUSTABLE SPRING MEANSACTING ON FEELER MEANS FOR VARYING AND ADJUSTING THE FORCE REQUIRED BYSAID FEELER MEANS TO MOVE SAID CONTROL SWITCH MEANS OUT OF SAIDOPERATIVE POSITION AGAINST THE ACTION OF SAID SPRING; AND SHIFTING MEANSCONNECTED TO SAID FEELER MEANS AND BEING OPERATED IN TIMED RELATION WITHSAID SLAY AND ACTUATING MEANS TO HOLD SAID FEELER MEANS IN SAID SENSINGPOSITION ONLY DURING THE PASSAGE OF THE SHUTTLE WITH A WEFT THREADTHROUGH A WARP SHED SO THAT THE WEFT THREAD ENGAGES SAID FEELER MEANS INSAID SENSING POSITION AND MOVES THE SAME TO SAID ACTUATED POSITION SOTHAT SAID ELECTRIC OPERATING MEANS IS NOT OPERATED WHEREAS SAID LOOMSTOP MOTION IS ACTUATED BY SAID OPERATING MEANS IF SAID FEELER MEANS ISNOT ENGAGED BY A WEFT THREAD.